10 Movies To Watch if You Love ‘Kiki’s Delivery Service’
Kiki’s Delivery Service is a Studio Ghibli classic that introduces Kiki, a young witch who starts a flying courier service. The story explores themes of the challenges of growing up, nostalgia, and the importance of developing independence. Kiki’s Delivery Service is so beloved because it features charming characters set against a fantastical backdrop. It’s a universal story that captures how difficult change can be.
Kiki’s Delivery Service embodies so much of what makes Studio Ghibli movies magical. For those who love that Ghibli touch, there are movies like Howl’s Moving Castle that capture Ghibli’s signature feel. However, there are also non-Ghibli movies, like The Golden Compass, that explore similar themes, like the importance of finding community and connection and the challenges of growing up. The best movies like Kiki’s Delivery Service capture the story’s whimsical tone and lovable characters.
10
‘Porco Rosso’ (1992)
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki
Porco Rosso is the story of a lovable flying ace who has been turned into a talking pig. The movie follows the titular character’s post-World War I career as a bounty hunter chasing planes across the Adriatic Sea. It explores anti-war themes as Porco Rosso (Shūichirō Moriyama) and his associates confront an encroaching fascist government. While Porco Rosso and Kiki’s Delivery Service have vastly different vibes, they are examples of the best storytelling Studio Ghibli has to offer.
Porco Rosso is a Studio Ghibli movie that captures the importance of freedom to the human spirit, much like Kiki’s Delivery Service. Both movies balance whimsy, heartbreak, and charm to tell memorable stories with equally compelling characters. While Porco Rosso is darker and more serious than Kiki’s Delivery Service, both movies reckon with complex emotions, and showcase characters who have to decide who they are.
9
‘Love Sarah’ (2020)
Directed by Eliza Schroeder
Love Sarah is the story of a young pastry chef whose untimely death prompts the women in her life to carry on her legacy by opening a bakery in her memory. Sarah (Candice Brown) had always dreamed of opening her own bakery. Her mother Mimi (Celia Imrie), her best friend Isabella (Shelley Conn), and daughter Clarissa (Shannon Tarbet) come together to celebrate Sarah’s life by making her dream a reality.
For those who appreciate the baking-centered story of Kiki’s Delivery Service, Love Sarah fits the bill. These movies both tap into the fact that baking itself can be a healing experience. Both are also charming stories about the possibilities that come with creating a fresh start. While Love Sarah focuses on the aftermath of a tragedy and Kiki’s Delivery Service focuses on Kiki’s move to the city, both highlight the fact that sometimes everyone needs a new start.
- Release Date
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July 2, 2020
- Runtime
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97 minutes
- Director
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Eliza Schroeder
- Writers
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Jake Brunger
8
‘My Neighbor Totoro’ (1988)
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki
My Neighbor Totoro follows the story of Japanese professor Tatsuo Kusakabe (Shigesato Itoi) and his daughters Satsuki (Noriko Hidaka) and Mei (Chika Sakamoto), who move into an old house while the family matriarch Yasuko (Sumi Shimamoto) recovers from illness. The sisters encounter the spirits that live in their new home, as well as a strange figure, Totoro, who Mei initially thinks is the troll from the fairytale “The Three Billy Goats Gruff”.
My Neighbor Totoro is another example of a whimsical story from Studio Ghibli that has a similar tone and explores similar themes to Kiki’s Delivery Service. For those who appreciate the fact that Kiki’s Delivery Service features no tangible villains, My Neighbor Totoro also focuses on the ups and downs of life without tangible enemies. Both movies also feature young protagonists who are eager to connect with the natural world around them.
7
‘The Garden of Words’ (2013)
Directed by Makoto Shinkai
The Garden of Words follows the story of aspiring shoemaker Takao (Miyu Irino), who meets a mysterious woman in a Japanese garden. As the two continue to meet on rainy days, they bond over the fact that they are both dealing with emotional turmoil. They also connect over the fact that they are both looking for connection in their lives. The Garden of Words is a story about two people who find understanding in one another when they feel the world doesn’t accept them.
Kiki’s Delivery Service and The Garden of Words also focus on how necessary it is to find beauty in everyday experiences and the seemingly mundane.
For those who love the overall feel of Kiki’s Delivery Service from an aesthetic perspective, The Garden of Words creates a similar world. Both stories also explore themes of the challenges of growing up and the importance of finding connection. Kiki’s Delivery Service and The Garden of Words also focus on how necessary it is to find beauty in everyday experiences and the seemingly mundane.
6
‘Wolf Children’ (2012)
Directed by Mamoru Hosoda
Wolf Children follows the story of Hana (Aoi Miyazaki), a young woman who falls in love with a werewolf. After his death, Hana has to raise her two children, who are half human and half wolf. The story highlights Hana’s struggles in raising her children on her own and supporting them in their growing independence. Throughout the story, Hana has to learn to let go of her children as they grow up, and accept that she has raised them well.
Fans of Kiki’s Delivery Service who enjoyed the story’s complex and endearing protagonist will find much to appreciate in Hana in The Wolf Children. Both movies also explore the realities of growing up, and the fact that everyone needs to develop their own sense of independence eventually. Kiki’s Delivery Service and Wolf Children are also both examples of stories that have surprisingly emotional depth against the backdrop of simple narratives.
Wolf Children
- Release Date
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July 12, 2012
- Runtime
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117 Minutes
Cast
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-
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Haru Kuroki
Yuki (shôjo-ki)
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Yukito Nishii
Ame (shônen-ki)
5
‘In This Corner of the World’ (2016)
Directed by Sunao Katabuchi
In This Corner of the World takes place in Japan before and during World War II, in the lead up to the Americans dropping the atomic bomb. The movie specifically highlights Suzu (Rena Nōnen), a young woman coming of age during this time. In This Corner of the World highlights the single-minded focus Suzu taps into to keep her family alive as her world devolves into chaos with the approaching war.
While In This Corner of the World tackles heavier subject matter than Kiki’s Delivery Service, both stories focus on the fact that finding one’s identity and place in the world is a fundamental human experience. Both Kiki’s Delivery Service and In This Corner of the World revolve around strong female protagonists who have to take charge of their own destiny. Both stories are also aesthetic experiences, and feature similarly soft and comforting color palettes while handling their characters’ emotional complexity.
- Release Date
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November 12, 2016
- Runtime
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129 Minutes
- Director
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Sunao Katabuchi
- Writers
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Sunao Katabuchi, Fumiyo Kono, Chie Uratani
4
‘Only Yesterday’ (1991)
Directed by Isao Takahata
Only Yesterday introduces Taeko Okajima (Miki Imai), a workaholic living in Tokyo. While traveling on a train, she recalls her childhood and the fact that she always dreamed of escaping the city. The story focuses on Taeko’s reflections on the fact that she often had a difficult relationship with her family growing up. Throughout Only Yesterday, Taeko is given the chance to be emotionally honest with herself when seeing herself as a child.
Both Only Yesterday and Kiki’s Delivery Service are deeply nostalgic stories. These movies invite viewers to explore their own memories and to get in touch with their inner child. For those who appreciate the fact that Kiki’s Delivery Service follows a young girl on a journey of self-discovery, Only Yesterday is a similar coming-of-age story. While these movies may feature characters at different stages of life, the focus is on how Kiki and Taeko navigate coming into their own.
- Release Date
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July 20, 1991
- Runtime
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119 minutes
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Miki Imai
Taeko Okajima (voice)
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Toshiro Yanagiba
Toshio (voice)
-
-
Mayumi Izuka
Tsuneko Tani (voice)
3
‘The Golden Compass’ (2007)
Directed by Chris Weitz
The Golden Compass is based on the first novel in the trilogy, His Dark Materials, by Philip Pullman. The movie introduces Lyra (Dakota Blue Richards), a young girl who lives in a retro-futuristic world that is ruled by a strict religious group. In this universe, every person has a personal animal companion known as a daemon. The Golden Compass follows Lyra’s journey as she works to uncover the mystery of children who have been kidnapped, including her friend.
The Golden Compass is another example of a movie that, like Kiki’s Delivery Service, focuses on a young girl who is coming of age and has to create her own destiny. Much like Kiki has to connect with the natural world around her, including animals, in Kiki’s Delivery Service, The Golden Compass creates a world where people and animals are linked in a unique way. The relationships Kiki and Lyra have with their animal companions ground them emotionally, which makes them easier to invest in as characters.
- Release Date
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December 7, 2007
- Runtime
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113 Minutes
- Director
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Chris Weitz
- Writers
-
Chris Weitz
2
‘Mary and the Witch’s Flower’ (2017)
Directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi
Mary and the Witch’s Flower introduces Mary Smith (Hana Sugisaki), who finds a mysterious flower that gives her special powers by making her a witch for one night. While Mary is initially captivated by her new temporary abilities, she soon comes face-to-face with the darker realities of the magical world. Mary finds a hidden school for witches that can only be seen by those with her new powers, and discovers that it isn’t all that it seems.
Mary and the Witch’s Flower and Kiki’s Delivery Service both present characters who are presented with new responsibilities. Kiki and Mary are similar protagonists in that they have to develop confidence in themselves as they face the fact that they are growing up. Those who appreciate the way Kiki navigates her magical world may appreciate Mary, who experiences a whole new reality after finding her flower.
1
‘Howl’s Moving Castle’ (2004)
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki
Howl’s Moving Castle introduces Sophie (Chieko Baisho), a young woman who a witch curses to appear old. She finds herself seeking refuge in a magical castle that seems to be alive. The castle is owned by a mysterious and reclusive wizard, Howl (Takuya Kimura). As Sophie bonds with Howl and the creatures that live in the castle, she finds she is able to help bring healing and transformation to everyone around her.
Howl’s Moving Castle, like Kiki’s Delivery Service, is an example of so much of what makes Studio Ghibli movies so beloved. Both stories feature a world that brings animals and other beings to life. Fans of Kiki’s Delivery Service who appreciate Kiki’s bond with her talking cat Jiji may appreciate Calcifer, the fire demon introduced in Howl’s Moving Castle who is essential to Sophie and Howl’s story. These companions are necessary to their respective protagonists on their journeys.
